Allow churidar for summer, say Kerala women judges

KOCHI: Even as several courts in the country are hearing cases related to the dress code in the courts and its premises for its officials and staff, women judicial officers in Kerala have approached the Kerala HC registrar for a change in the 53-year-old dress code which is still being followed.
The Kerala HC is likely to look into the submission made by more than 100 women officers who have sought permission to wear churidar in the courtrooms. Wearing the traditional sari, white collar band and a black gown over it is an uncomfortable combination when they are forced to sit in crowded courtrooms for hours on end.
The officers quoted the instance of the Telangana HC, which had, in a circular issued on March 15, 2021, prescribed salwar, churidar, long skirt, trousers (white, cream, grey or black) also as permissible wear for judicial officers along with the sari which can be white, cream, grey or black or a combination.
The judicial officers' dress code, which has been in effect since October 1, 1970, specifies that women shall wear the regional dress of subdued colour, white stiff or soft collar bands with a Barrister's or Bachelor of Law's gown. Men shall wear black open-collar coats, white shirts, and white stiff or soft-collar bands with a Barrister's or Bachelor of Law's gown.